Alt-Tab Slow Down/Memory Issue

kelston · May 26, 2007, 06:03 AM

Reposted for a friend:

Hi folks.

This issue I believe is not directly tied to WOW. I think its with my OS. I didn't know where else to post than here, incase someone may have experienced something similar in the past.

About two weeks ago, I installed Ad-Aware Proffessional onto my system. Around that same time, my alt+tab in WOW stopped functioning at all (It acted as if I was just hitting Tab). When ALT+Tabbing in Windows, I would receive really long system hangs, particularly when Alt+Tabbing FROM Internet Explorer.

Being in tech support myself, I figured the obvious solution was to uninstall Ad-Aware. I did that, yet still received the systems. I re-installed Ad-Aware SE (the version I was using before hand), and still suffered the same symptoms.

Realistically, it seems as if I am running windows with absolutly no memory. I have 3GB of RAM in my system, all 'performance' RAM. They are installed in dual-channel configuration (2x512, 2x1024). My system properties show me having 3gb of RAM, and so is every other 'RAM check' I have done. I have run a few "RAM Purging" softwares as well, and all to no avail.

I also thought the problem might be virus/spyware related. I used Symantic AntiVirus, Ad-Aware, and Spybod. I have done countless scans & definition file updates, and they all report my system to be clean.

I installed an alt+tab software that supersedes Window's Alt+Tab process. And with that software Alt Tab works, but it doesn't work as fast as the default windows one. I'd rather not have to use that software. Furthermore, I am getting general slow down in Explorer and anything else that involves multi-tasking, or switching between windows. To include up to 10-15 minute delays when using CTRL+ALT+DEL to try to end frozen processes.

Truthfully I am totally beat. I have no idea what else I could do, or what else could be causing the problem. I would rather avoid wiping and starting over. As such I figured I would post here, to try to get more input on what could be going on with my system.

PS: System Restore is not an option, I disabled system restore to get rid of a virus, and hadn't yet re-enabled it when I started getting this issue.

Dyre Straits · May 27, 2007, 07:11 PM

Greetings!

Have you checked for updated BIOS and motherboard drivers for the system board?

Have you installed recent Microsoft/Windows Updates at around the same time as the problem developed? If so, uninstall any update from around that time to see if the problem clears up.
(I seem to recall reading about similar problems with a recent Windows Update.)

If push comes to shove, I wouldn't completely format and install Windows but I would go with a REPAIR installation to see how things go with that.

Good luck!

RaveneR · May 27, 2007, 08:44 PM

try defragmenting your drive?

PangingJr · May 28, 2007, 11:38 AM

there were quite many cases re: ALT-TAB not working or problems with ALT-TAB in XP's in the past years,
give this link a go for research into the problem -- http://groups.google.com/group/micro...rking&start=0&

May 26, 2007, 06:03 AM	#1
kelston DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bayside, NY USA Posts: 340 Rep Power: 0	Alt-Tab Slow Down/Memory Issue Reposted for a friend: Hi folks. This issue I believe is not directly tied to WOW. I think its with my OS. I didn't know where else to post than here, incase someone may have experienced something similar in the past. About two weeks ago, I installed Ad-Aware Proffessional onto my system. Around that same time, my alt+tab in WOW stopped functioning at all (It acted as if I was just hitting Tab). When ALT+Tabbing in Windows, I would receive really long system hangs, particularly when Alt+Tabbing FROM Internet Explorer. Being in tech support myself, I figured the obvious solution was to uninstall Ad-Aware. I did that, yet still received the systems. I re-installed Ad-Aware SE (the version I was using before hand), and still suffered the same symptoms. Realistically, it seems as if I am running windows with absolutly no memory. I have 3GB of RAM in my system, all 'performance' RAM. They are installed in dual-channel configuration (2x512, 2x1024). My system properties show me having 3gb of RAM, and so is every other 'RAM check' I have done. I have run a few "RAM Purging" softwares as well, and all to no avail. I also thought the problem might be virus/spyware related. I used Symantic AntiVirus, Ad-Aware, and Spybod. I have done countless scans & definition file updates, and they all report my system to be clean. I installed an alt+tab software that supersedes Window's Alt+Tab process. And with that software Alt Tab works, but it doesn't work as fast as the default windows one. I'd rather not have to use that software. Furthermore, I am getting general slow down in Explorer and anything else that involves multi-tasking, or switching between windows. To include up to 10-15 minute delays when using CTRL+ALT+DEL to try to end frozen processes. Truthfully I am totally beat. I have no idea what else I could do, or what else could be causing the problem. I would rather avoid wiping and starting over. As such I figured I would post here, to try to get more input on what could be going on with my system. PS: System Restore is not an option, I disabled system restore to get rid of a virus, and hadn't yet re-enabled it when I started getting this issue. __________________ Pants are a dangerous foe!

May 27, 2007, 08:44 PM	#3
RaveneR DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 196 Rep Power: 0	try defragmenting your drive?

May 28, 2007, 11:38 AM	#4
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 55	there were quite many cases re: ALT-TAB not working or problems with ALT-TAB in XP's in the past years, give this link a go for research into the problem -- http://groups.google.com/group/micro...rking&start=0&